Sri Lanka 2nd part; Sigiriya, the Lion Rock Fortress

After
finishing the almost 700 steps to Damubulla's Cave Temple, I negotiated
my rickshaw ride to Sigiriya to a fare of 800lkr starting from
Dambulla's Golden Temple to Sigiriya's main entrance. Sigiriya is a unique landscape city, created in the 5th century by King Kashyapa embracing a 200 meter rock out crop and its surrounding with nature driven architecture composed of buildings, pathways, terraces, ponds, paintings and sculpture. There are more than 1,000 handwritten poems on the mirror wall written by visitors to Sigiriya from 7th-14th century. The UNESCO declared this world heritage site in 1982.

How to go to Sigiriya;

There is no direct bus from Colombo Fort. From Dambulla junction, either bus or tuktuk. Bus at a very cheap fare of less than 2olkr but departure timings is irregular. Tuktuk travel costs 1,000lkr at 20mins travel time. What I did was from Dhambulla Temple, I hired tuktuk directly to Sigiriya at negotiated fare of 800lkr only. Entrance fee costs 3,900 lkr ($30) for the mirror wall, museum and at the palace above the lion rock.

Sigiriya, the Lion Rock Fortress

Sigiriya, the Lion Rock Fortress (the palace above)

Sigiriya, the Lion Rock Fortress

Sigiriya, the Lion Rock Fortress (mirror wall)

Sigiriya, the Lion Rock Fortress (view below)

Sigiriya (Lion Rock) is located in the central Matale District near town of Dambulla of the Central Province, Sri Lanka. The name refers to a site of historical and archeaological significance that is dominated by a massive column of rock nearly 200 metres (660 ft) high. According to the ancient Sri Lankan chronicle the Culavamsa the site was selected by King Kasyapa (477 – 495 CE) for his new capital. He built his palace on the top of this rock and decorated its sides with colourful frescoes. On a small plateau about halfway up the side of this rock he built a gateway in the form of an enormous lion. The name of this place is derived from this structure —Sīhāgiri, the Lion Rock. The capital and the royal palace were abandoned after the king's death. It was used as a Buddhist monastery until the 14th century. Sigiriya today is a UNESCO listed World Heritage Site. It is one of the best preserved examples of ancient urban planning. It is the most visited historic site in Sri Lanka.http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sigiriya